ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment
SCHEME FOR RESIDENTIAL EDUCATION FOR STUDENTS IN HIGH SCHOOLS IN TARGETED AREAS 
The objective of SHRESHTA is to enhance the reach of development Intervention of the Government and to fill the gap in service deficient SCs dominant areas, in the sector of education through the efforts of grant-in-aid institutions  and residential high schools offering high quality education and to provide environment for socio economic upliftment and overall development of the Scheduled Castes . The Scheme is further modified to provide easier access to the meritorious SC students in the best schools in the Country for their Educational and Holistic Development, thereby securing their future opportunities.
The scheme is being implemented in two Modes: One is SHRESHTA schools, , Under this, each year a specified number of meritorious SC students in States/UTs will be selected through the National Entrance Test for SHRESHTA  to be conducted by the National Testing Agency  and admitted in the best private residential schools affiliated by CBSE/State Board in classes 9th and 11th for completion of education till 12th standard.
Selection of schools: Best performing CBSE based private residential schools, having more than 75% pass percentage for class 10 and 12 for last three years are selected by a Committee for admission of selected students.
Selection of students: Approx 3000  SC students, whose parents annual income is upto 2.5 lakh, are selected every year under the Scheme through a national level test conducted by National Testing Agency , choices of schools shall be offered to the students in accordance with their merit.
Total fee for the student covering the school fee  and hostel fee  would be borne by the Department. Admissible fee under the Scheme for each class is as under:
|
|
Class
|
|
Fee per student per annum 
|
|
9th
|
|
1,00,000
|
|
10th
|
|
1,10,000
|
|
11th
|
|
1,25,000
|
|
12th
|
|
1,35,000
Provisions have been incorporated for a bridge course in the selected schools for students selected under the Scheme, outside-the-school-hours after identifying the individual academic requirements. Bridge course will target at enhancing the capability of the student to easily adapt to the environment of the school. The cost of bridge course i.e. 10% of annual fee shall also be borne by the Department. The progress of the students would be monitored by the Ministry from time to time.
Second Mode is NGO/VO operated Schools/Hostels , , Schools/Hostels run by VOs/NGOs and other organizations having higher classes  and who have been receiving Grant-in-aid will be continued, subject to satisfactory performance.
The grants under of the Scheme will be provided for School fee and residential charges for the SC admitted in the schools. The grant per SC student shall be as below:
Expenditure under Scheme for Residential Education for Students in High Schools in Targeted Areas  from 2020-21 to 2023-24
Ministry of Women and Child Development
Reducing Malnourishment Through Poshan Abhiyaan
POSHAN Abhiyaan launched on 8th March 2018, aims to reduce malnutrition in the country by adopting a synergised and result oriented approach for improving the nutritional status of children from 0-6 years, adolescent girls, pregnant women and lactating mothers in a time bound manner. The Abhiyaan has mechanisms for timely service delivery and a robust monitoring as well as intervention infrastructure. The major components under this Abhiyaan are ensuring convergence with partnering Ministries/Departments with their key programmes to ensure nutrition outcomes; Information Communication & Technology based Application Software for strengthening service delivery and interventions; Community Mobilization and Awareness Advocacy leading to Jan Andolan for behaviour change and to educate people on nutritional aspects; Capacity Building of Frontline Functionaries and incentivizing States/ UTs for achieving goals.
Mission Poshan 2.0, an integrated nutrition support programme has been announced in budget 2021-2022 for all 36 States/UTs covering all the Districts. It seeks to strengthen nutritional content, delivery, outreach and outcomes with focus on developing practices that nurture health, wellness and immunity to disease and malnutrition. Steps have been taken to improve nutritional quality and testing in accredited labs, strengthen delivery and leverage technology under Poshan Tracker to improve governance. States/UTs have been advised to promote use of AYUSH systems for prevention of malnutrition and related diseases. Guidelines were issued for transparency and accountability in delivery of supplementary nutrition and to track nutritional outcomes on 13.01.2021.
The data on nutritional indicators is captured under the National Family Health Surveys  conducted periodically by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare. As per the recent report of NFHS-5 , the nutrition indicators for children under 5 years have improved as compared with NFHS-4 . Stunting, Wasting and Underweight has reduced from 38.4% to 35.5%, 21.0% to 19.3% and 35.8% to 32.1% respectively.
The State/UT wise details of children under 5 years who are stunted, wasted and underweight as per the National Family Health Survey 5 is at Annexure I.
This information was given by the Union Minister of Women and Child Development, Smt. Smriti Zubin Irani, in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.
Ministry of Education
Shri Dharmendra Pradhan signs MoU with FIFA and AIFF for implementing Football4Schools initiative in India
Football 4 Schools programme espouses the spirit of NEP 2020 - Shri Dharmendra Pradhan
Football4Schools program to leverage the power of sports to create well-rounded citizens- Shri Dharmendra Pradhan
Union Education and Skill Development & Entrepreneurship Minister Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, on behalf of the Ministry of Education signed an MoU in Mumbai today with FIFA and All India Football Federation for the ‘Football4Schools’ initiative in India. FIFA President, Mr. Gianni Infantino and President, All India Football Federation, Shri Kalyan Chaubey signed the MoU on behalf of respective organizations. Minister of State, Ministry of Home Affairs and Youth Affairs & Sports, Shri Nisith Pramanik; Minister for School Education and Marathi Language- Maharashtra Shri Deepak Kesarkar; Commissioner, Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti Shri Vinayak Garg & officials of All India Football Federation were also present on the occasion.
Speaking on the occasion, Shri Pradhan said that sports has been given a place of pride in NEP 2020 and the Football 4 Schools program espouses the spirit of NEP2020. Sports has been given a place of pride in NEP 2020. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has laid emphasis on mainstreaming of sports with education and Football4Schools program is a step towards translating Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision of making sports as a way of life as well as creating well-rounded citizens, he further added.
He expressed his happiness that FIFA, All India Football Federation and Ministry of Education, GoI through this MoU on the sidelines of U-17 WWC are collaborating together to promote football and also equip the young learners with valuable life skills.
Shri Pradhan said that football is an immensely popular sport and the Football4Schools program uses it as a positive tool to inspire children and ensure their holistic development. He further said that ‘Football4Schools’ aims to empower 25 million young boys and girls in India through sports-integrated learning.
Benefits of Football for Schools Programme:
-Empower learners  with valuable life skills and competencies
-Empower and provide coach-educators with the training to deliver sport and life-skills activities
-Build the capacity of stakeholders  to deliver training in life skills through football
-Strengthen the cooperation between governments and participating schools to enable partnerships, alliances and intersectoral collaboration.
Prime Minister's Office
PM reviews situation arising due to Cyclone Bulbul
Prime Minister Narendra Modi today reviewed the situation in the wake of cyclone conditions and heavy rain in parts of Eastern India. He also spoke to Chief Minister of West Bengal Ms. Mamata Banerjee regarding the situation arising due to Cyclone Bulbul and assured all possible assistance from the Centre.
Prime Minister's Office
PM greets people on the occasion of Easter
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has greeted people on the occasion of Easter.
Prime Minister said, “Best wishes to everyone on the special occasion of Easter. We remember the noble thoughts of Lord Christ, especially his unwavering commitment to empowering the poor and needy. May this Easter give us added strength to successfully overcome COVID-19 and create a healthier planet”
Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution
Conference on ‘Digital financing against e-Negotiable Warehouse Receipts and way forward’ discusses Ease of Doing Business
A conference on “Digital financing against e-Negotiable Warehouse Receipts and way forward” was held at NABARD Head Office in Mumbai.
The purpose of the conference was to interact with bankers to increase post-harvest pledge finance against e-NWRs issued by warehouses registered by WDRA and evolve mechanisms that would improve ease of doing business. This would also help raise the post-harvest pledge financing from current levels. Bankers present expressed their satisfaction with the e-NWR system established by WDRA as it provides them with considerable safety and comfort against loans advanced by them against warehouse receipts. Loaning against e-NWRs has shown a steady growth over the years. During FY 2022-23 the loan figure has already crossed Rs.1500 crores. Participating bankers indicated the post-harvest loans they had made so far, and agreed to increase the loaning.
It was noted that digital financing against e-NWRs would help banks in extending hassle free loans against e-NWRs. This would help in increasing liquidity and improving farmers’ income. Banks also can expand their lending portfolio without undue exposure to additional risk. A project to integrate the Core Banking Financial Systems of the Banks with WDRA’s repositories through a portal was discussed. The Gateway will enable depositor to take loans against e-NWRs in a faceless and quick manner.
WDRA, being the regulator of the warehousing sector, always endeavors to improve the system to promote scientific warehousing in the country. WDRA is also the implementing agency to establish a negotiable warehouse receipt system for all commodities. To that end, WDRA is taking steps to improve the fiduciary trust among stakeholders including depositors, warehousemen and financial institutions.
WDRA, as the regulator of the warehousing sector and the agency for establishing the negotiable warehouse receipt  in the country assured the bankers present that it would extend all support to bankers to ensure safety of loans made against electronic NWRs. Every one present agreed that the common objective was to increase post-harvest loaning against farm produce, to increase the income of agriculturists. WDRA officials also urged all banks to switch to the digital mode of warehouse receipt financing through eNWRs, instead of using paper warehouse receipts. This will also contribute towards Government’s efforts to increase digitization in the financial sector.
The conference was attended by Chairman WDRA, Sh. TK Manoj Kumar, Chairman NABARD Sh. Shaji Kumar KV, Sh. Mukesh Jain, Member, WDRA, along with heads of priority sector lending and MSME divisions of various banks.
Competition Commission of India
MoU between Competition Commission of India  and Administrative Council for Economic Defense of Brazil 
The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi today has approved the Memorandum of Understanding  between Competition Commission of India  and Administrative Council for Economic Defense of Brazil .
Section 18 of the Competition Act, 2002 permits CCI to enter into any Memorandum or arrangement with any agency of any foreign country for the purpose of discharging its duties or performing its functions under the Act.
Accordingly, CCI has entered into the following six MoUs:
- Federal Trade Commission  and Department of Justice , USA
- Director General Competition, European Union
- Federal Antimonopoly Service, Russia
- Australian Competition and Consumer Commission and
- Competition Bureau, Canada and
- BRICS Competition Authorities.
The present proposal relates to signing of a similar MOU between CCI and CADE.
Prime Minister's Office
PM condoles the demise of eminent archaeologist Thiru R. Nagaswamy
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has expressed sorrow on the demise of eminent archaeologist Thiru R. Nagaswamy. The Prime recalled his contribution towards popularising the vibrant culture of Tamil Nadu.
The Prime Minister tweeted :
"The coming generations will never forget the contributions of Thiru R. Nagaswamy towards popularising the vibrant culture of Tamil Nadu. His passion towards history, epigraphy and archaeology were noteworthy. Pained by his demise. Condolences to his family and friends. Om Shanti."
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
India’s Cumulative COVID-19 Vaccination Coverage exceeds 188.40 Cr
Over 2.78 Cr 1st dose vaccines administered for age group 12-14 years
India's Active caseload currently stands at 16,980
3,303 new cases reported in the last 24 hours
Recovery Rate currently stands at 98.74%
Weekly Positivity Rate is presently at 0.61%
India’s COVID-19 vaccination coverage has exceeded 188.40 Cr  as per provisional reports till 7 am today. This has been achieved through 2,31,86,439 sessions.
COVID-19 vaccination for the age group 12-14 years was started on 16 March, 2022. So far, more than 2.78 Cr  adolescents have been administered with the first dose of COVID-19 vaccine. Similarly, the COVID-19 precaution dose administration for age group 18-59 years also started from 10th April, 2022 onwards.
The break-up of the cumulative figure as per the provisional report till 7 am today include:
|
|
Cumulative Vaccine Dose Coverage
|
|
HCWs
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
10404967
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
10014666
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
4755872
|
|
FLWs
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
18415401
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
17536326
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
7495383
|
|
Age Group 12-14 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
27864432
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
4986816
|
|
Age Group 15-18 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
58309299
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
41899185
|
|
Age Group 18-44 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
555627071
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
477100613
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
123173
|
|
Age Group 45-59 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
202904425
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
187720783
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
441168
|
|
Over 60 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
126854070
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
116948915
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
14672888
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
2,74,88,484
|
|
Total
|
|
1,88,40,75,453
India’s Active Caseload currently stands at 16,980. Active cases now constitute 0.04% of the country's total Positive Cases.
Consequently, India’s recovery rate stands at 98.74%. 2,563 patients have recovered in the last 24 hours and the cumulative tally of recovered patients  is now at 4,25,28,126.
3,303 new cases were reported in the last 24 hours.
The last 24 hours saw a total of 4,97,669 COVID-19 tests being conducted. India has so far conducted over 83.64 Cr  cumulative tests.
Weekly Positivity Rate in the country currently stands at 0.61% and the Daily Positivity rate is also reported to be 0.66%.
Ministry of Tribal Affairs
Ministry of Tribal Affairs writes to State Governments for rescheduling of holidays in EMRS/EMDBS in view of contingent health situation due to COVID-19
The Ministry of Tribal Affairs has written to Tribal Development Departments of all States with Eklavya Model Residential Schools for rescheduling of Holidays in Eklavya Model Residential Schools  and Eklavya Model Day Boarding Schools  funded by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs. In a letter written to Principal Secretary/Secretary-in-charge of Tribal Development Department of these States, the Ministry has said that in view of prevailing sensitive health conditions affecting community health due to Covid-19 , it has been seen that at various places local administration have issued directions to take preventive measures including declaration of vacations to avoid spreading of infection. In certain cases, the directions issued permits completion of the scheduled annual examinations.
In view of the contingent situation, the Ministry of Tribal Affairs has issued the following instructions in respect of the Eklavya Model Residential Schools for rescheduling of Holidays in Eklavya Model Residential Schools  and Eklavya Model Day Boarding Schools  funded by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs :
- Summer Holidays to be advanced as a special case and schools to remain shut from 21.03.2020 till 25.05.2020  or till further orders whichever is earlier.
- Till such time, entry of outsiders into the campus is completely banned.
- Students appearing in Board Examinations and attending special classes may be retained with due care in the campus. Such students appearing in Board examinations may be sent home soon after completion of respective papers.
- Special drive may be taken to sanitize the school campus including the academic block, hostels and other common areas.
Apart from the above, the following may also be ensured :
- Order from local authorities on the issue may be strictly followed.
- Teachers can avail the holidays after completion of declaration of results. Results may be communicated to the students by post and sms.
- General activities planned for vacations shall be carried out during the vacation period to ensure that the campus is made ready for starting the new session.
- Admission of students in Class VI and lateral entry in classes IX and XI shall also be completed in all respects during this period before the school reopens.
Ministry of Earth Sciences
Air quality over Delhi-NCT is likely to remain in Moderate on 24th & 25th June, 2021
According to the National Weather Forecasting Centre of the India Meteorological Department :
Wind Pattern and Ventilation Index Forecast
Air mass inflow forecast in Delhi along with predicted ventilation coefficient and weather forecast is as follows:
- The air quality over Delhi-NCT is likely to remain in Moderate 24.06.2021 and 25.06.2021. PM10 will be the predominant pollutant owing to strong surface winds favourable for raising dust concentration locally and transport of dust from arid regions. The air quality is likely to improve marginally but remain in Moderate to Satisfactory category on 26.06.2021. The Outlook for subsequent 5 Days: The air quality is likely to remain largely in Satisfactory to Moderate category.
- The predominant surface wind is likely to be coming from East directions of Delhi with wind speed 10-12 kmph and partly cloudy sky with possibility of rain/thundershowers towards night on 24.06.2021. The predominant surface wind is likely to be coming from West-Northwest directions of Delhi with wind speed 12-24 kmph and partly cloudy sky with very light rain/thundershowers accompanied with gusty winds  on 25.06.2021. The predominant surface wind is likely to be coming from West directions of Delhi with wind speed 12-24 kmph and partly cloudy sky with possibility of very light rain/thundershowers on 26.06.2021.
- Predicted maximum mixing depth is likely to be approx. 4200 m on 24.06.2021, 4100 m on 25.06.2021 and 2800 m on 26.06.2021 over Delhi. Maximum Ventilation index is likely to be approx 21000 m2/s on 24.06.2021, 25000 m2/s on 25.06.2021 and 19500 m2/s on 26.06.2021. The ventilation index lower than 6000 m2/s with average wind speed less than 10 kmph is unfavourable or dispersion of pollutants.
Detailed forecast analysis and verification can be seen at https://ews.tropmet.res.in.

Kindly download MAUSAM APP for location specific forecast & warning, MEGHDOOT APP for Agromet advisory and DAMINI APP for Lightning Warning & visit state MC/RMC websites for district wise warning.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
Update on COVID-19 Vaccine Availability in States/UTs
More than 193.53 Crore vaccine doses provided to States/UTs
More than 15.56 Crore balance and unutilized vaccine doses still available with States/UTs
The Union Government is committed to accelerating the pace and expanding the scope of COVID-19 vaccination throughout the country. The nationwide COVID 19 vaccination started on 16th January 2021. The new phase of universalization of COVID-19 vaccination commenced from 21st June 2021. The vaccination drive has been ramped up through availability of more vaccines, advance visibility of vaccine availability to States and UTs for enabling better planning by them, and streamlining the vaccine supply chain.
As part of the nationwide vaccination drive, Government of India has been supporting the States and UTs by providing them COVID Vaccines free of cost. In the new phase of the universalization of the COVID19 vaccination drive, the Union Government will procure and supply  75% of the vaccines being produced by the vaccine manufacturers in the country to States and UTs.
|
|
VACCINE DOSES
|
|

|
|
SUPPLIED
|
|
1,93,53,58,865
|
|
BALANCE AVAILABLE
|
|
15,56,02,270
More than 193.53 crore  vaccine doses have been provided to States/UTs so far through Govt. of India  and through direct state procurement category.
More than 15.56 Cr  balance and unutilized COVID Vaccine doses are still available with the States/UTs to be administered.
Special Service and Features
Foreign Currency, USD, Saudi Riyals & Eurosworth Rs 1.04 Crore seized by Chennai Air Customs .One arrested.
Based on intelligence thatcurrency was likely to be smuggled out of India by passengers bound for Dubai by Indigo flight 6E 65, air intelligence officers maintained strict vigil at departure terminal to intercept them. Six passengers Mansoor Ali Khan, 27, Yakalik,68, Thameem Ansari,49,Mohamad Hussain,30,and Yousuf,67, allof Chennaiand Abdul Rahman,38, of Pudur, were intercepted after they had cleared Immigration and were proceeding towards security hold area. Their personal search as well as search of their hand baggage/back packs was also carried out. On examination of their backpacksmany power banks were found hidden inside. The power banks appeared to be heavy and were broken by a hammer and foreign currency notes were recovered which were concealed inside. Foreign currency was also recovered from the pockets of their backpacks.74000 USD in 100 denominationsworth Rs.53.5lakhs, 150000 Saudi Riyals in 500 denomination worth Rs.28.3 lakhs, and 25000 Euros in denomination of 200 worth Rs.22.2 lakhs,totally equivalent to Rs 1.04 Crore were recovered and seized under Customs Act read with Foreign Exchange Management  Regulations, 2015. One Thameem Ansari whose individual seizure value crossed Rs. 20 lakhs was arrested.
Further investigation is under process, according to a press release issued by the Commissioner of Customs Chennai International Airport.